Marvel’s film adaptation of Iron Man took a very long and winding road through development Hell to get to your cineplex today.  It is almost always the better for it.ÂÂ
The original comic sprung from the backdrop of Vietnam.  Current events make this Afghan-themed update seem as ripped from the headlines as an episode of Law & Order — if Jerry Orbach had worn gold-titanium alloy armor.ÂÂ
I suspect regular pw readers may be concerned about the rumored left-wing bent of the screenplay. The script is not as bent as the early version that circulated on the Internet. Tony Stark ends up more pacifist than he does in the comic book (at least during my childhood). The industrial part of the military-industrial-complex is villified, though the military is not and (perhaps more surprising) neither is the government. Those familiar with the villain of the piece will not be too surprised with the variation presented here. The truly heavy-handed moments are at least built into the plot, so the overall effect is not too much different from the Bourne franchise (which is actually more in the paranoid style of the 70s), particularly within the context of what is, in the end, a superhero movie. Aside from those moments, the script is generally sharp and swift, particularly in juggling action and exposition from the outset — it starts with a bang, yet manages an allusion to Citizen Kane within its opening setup.
The delay also put the project in the hands of director Jon Favreau (who even turns up in Vegas, baby), who does one of the smartest things a director can do — cast his picture well. Word is the suits would have preferred someone younger or more bankable than the rehabbed Robert Downey, Jr.  Fans of the comic book, however, immediately saw him as perfect to play the excessive playboy-genius turned redemption-seeking hero Tony Stark — and Downey does not disappoint. Favreau lets Downey have his head, and his supporting cast — primarily Gwyneth Paltrow, Shaun Toub, Terence Howard and Jeff Bridges – generally bring their game to meet his. Indeed, while there is enough CGI action to keep the kids’ attention, adults may find themselves wishing for more of the character-driven scenes. In particular, Howard could have been given more to do, but is nicely positioned for the likely sequel(s). Downey is also able to fully exploit the comic aspects of Stark’s flaws, giving the picture a lighter tone that distinguishes it from most of the recent superhero movies.
One piece of trivia to enrich your viewing: there is a bedroom scene with Leslie Bibb set to an instrumental version of the theme from the old Iron Man cartoon.  You have to wait for the end credits for the Black Sabbath. BTW, you will want to stay through all of the end credits. Really. I cannot stress that enough. For those who have not followed the various rumors surronding the movie, I will put the big spolier in white text:
After the end credits, Tony Stark returns to his ultra-swank bachelor pad in Malibu. His security system alterts him to an intruder. In one of the darkened main rooms, there is a silhouette of a man sitting on the back of Stark’s couch, looking out the window at the ocean. Stark demands identification. The man, clad in a leather trenchcoat, is revealed to be Samuel L. Jackson, who introduces himself as Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. The film cuts off after Fury tells Stark, “Do you think you’re the only superhero out there? I would like to talk to you about our Avengers project…”
…and all the comic geeks go “Oooooh!” According to Nikke Finke, some projections are for Iron Man to take in $75-85 million over the 3-day weekend. That would make it the second best Marvel opening to the first Spider-Man movie.
Update: Let’s be careful not to give away that spoiler in the comments.
SLJ as NF? I guess I can see that.
Hope they do a true A picture and not one that mixes in the WCA.
And yes, I’m acronymizing to go along with the non-spoiler theme.
I am Irony Man.
The guys at Libertas have been all over this movie; in all my time of lurking there, I don’t think I’ve seen any movie that was as anticipated (and as feared, due to that early leftist script that was floating around). $75-$85 million might be a low projection.
I’m in total nerdgasm over this one, although I may be seeing it alone – the Mrs. doesn’t get the Iron Man thing.
Maggie and I saw it yesterday as well. THe only non-spolier thing I could add would be that I was very pleased at how much the story was lifted from a variety of actual story arcs from the comic books themselves, just combined and reformulated in a new way, and anyone who has ever read Iron Man #1 will love the beginning of this film. (Does that establish my own nerd creds enough?)
And I know who the likely villan of Iron Man II is, do you?
Doug, it’s easier if you’ve read the Ultimates title that Marvel brought out a few years ago. Much easier.
I am so looking forward to this.
[Techie’s comment partially deleted to make it less spoilery. I tried to make it hidden, but wp apparently won’t do that in the comments. Suffice it to say that Techie remarked on the way more recent comments made a particular casting choice inspired.-K]
Red Dynamo? Or Titanium Man? Or, better yet, someone NOT also in powered armor, although he seemed to fight a lot of those, for obvious reasons. But the Soviet angle is missing…
I seem to recall most of IM’s nemeses being fairly disposable. So I have no idea who his “Dr. Octopus” will be.
By the way, I haven’t seen the movie yet, so I don’t have the benefit of any clues that might be hidden therein, but I’ve had my IM Jones on for months now. It won’t be long.
What, Hasslehof was fuckin’ busy?…
Iron Man doesn’t have “a rogues gallery” like someone like Spider-man or the hands-down winner, Batman. He’s always pretty much been an Avenger and a power-player in the superhero “Business”.
In the comics, Tony Stark has been the SecDef and is the current Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.
BTW, for a more oblique spoiler, those of you who knew or peeked at the Iron Man spoiler might want to think about whether you might see another similar spoiler sooner rather than later.
The Mandarin is probably Iron Man’s biggest recurring villain. Considering that he gets his technological powers from an alien spacecraft, I can see an interesting movie in there but it would be a very different and more psychedelic movie.
They could bring back the old school A.I.M..
Haven’t seen it yet, but, agreed, IM’s villains are D-listers. After the origin story, not sure where you go. Mandarin? You can’t base a sequel on a villain named after a gay orange (cool foo-man-choo or not). Hell, why not Mysterio (Ok, I know that’s Spiderman)? But Mysterio is basically David Blaine with a fishbowl on his head. I mean that’s pretty creepy. Maybe in the sequel we get NF and sick Tony on some aliens.
BTW, anyone else bummed there’s no IMAX release?
lagha;
The clue is the current movie is the name of the terrorist group: “The Ten Rings.”
My husband and kids are at Iron Man right now. I think my husband was the most excited to see it, but my son who wants to be a director someday is a huge Robert Downey, Jr. fan.
RTO:
Fin Fang Foom! ;-)
MayBee,
If your son wants to direct, he could do a lot worse than Downey; he makes Favreau’s job much easier (though Favreau holds up his end on the pacing of the film).
I love Favreau, I think it’s so interesting he has this project.
The RDJr movie my son is really waiting for is Tropic Thunder. I’m happy to see him finally perhaps slaying his demons and having the career he was always supposed to have.
Ok, they are back and they loved it.
My son just told me that he wakes up every morning and runs downstairs, hoping to find Robert Downey Jr asleep on our sofa.
That could happen, if those demons aren’t slain. In which case it would be a “careful what you wish for” situation.
RTO Trainer wrote:
The clue is the current movie is the name of the terrorist group: “The Ten Rings.â€Â
Oh. Dear.
Remember the time we found Downey curled up with the ‘dillo at Jeff’s old place?
The nightmares finally subsided last November, but they may start up again soon…
Fin Fang Foom would be cool. Mega CGI goodness.
David Blaine has very good showmanship and his magic tricks are good too.,,.
i like the magic tricks of David Blaine but Chris Angel is much better.;-:
David Blaine is not the best magician but he surely amazes me with his old tricks”,~
both David Blaine and Chris Angel have great showmanship when it comes to magic tricks`,’
david blaine’s magic tricks are great for the streets, he is very talented indeed””‘